MUSE

The 2nd Law


MUSE continue to chart their eccentric course on a preposterous but hugely entertaining sixth album. The Devon band have named the record after the second law of thermo-dynamics, and Matt Bellamy’s lyrics strike an apocalyptic tone on Survival, Madness and Unsustainable. But the music is triumphant, with Panic Station’s slippery funk recalling INXS and Queen, and the experimental Animals mixing jittery drums and Santana-style guitars.

★★★★✩

MUMFORD & SONS

Babel (Island)


With their first album a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, Mumford & Sons unsurprisingly stick to a winning formula. Adding a fresh sheen to rustic folk-rock, they shun electronics for surging banjos and steel-stringed guitars, with Marcus Mumford’s rough-hewn voice centre stage. All very easy on the ear, but there is emotional heft in both Lovers’ Eyes and Lover Of The Light.

★★★★✩

BAND OF HORSES

Mirage Rock (Columbia)


This South Carolina quintet have always struck an awkward balance between meandering Americana and slick, mainstream rock. This fourth album leans towards the former. Slow Cruel Hands Of Time nods to The Eagles; Long Vows recalls Neil Young. But there is good rocking amid the introspection. Knock Knock chugs along nicely, while Heartbreak On The 101 is a powerful love song.

★★★✩✩

JESSIE WARE

Devotion (PMR)


The latest South Londoner to follow in the footsteps of Adele and Florence is a sultry soul diva from Brixton. This debut album mixes driving yet atmospheric dance tracks with radio-friendly ballads worthy of Alicia Keys. There are nods to Soul II Soul, Sade and Eighties jazz-funk, but the overall feel is thoroughly modern, with Ware’s elegant vocals a unifying force. Get your Mercury Prize bets on now.

★★★★★

PETE WILLIAMS

See (Basehart)


Williams is Kevin Rowland’s main sidekick in the latest version of Dexys, and the soul-rebel sway of his solo debut will be reassuringly familiar to fans. He lacks Rowland’s forceful character, but there is plenty to admire in his thoughtful mix of acoustic pop, soul and jazz. Guitarist Richard Hawley is a subtle but welcome guest.

★★★✩✩

DISPATCH

Circles Around The Sun (Nettwerk)


This Boston jamming trio play to crowds of 100,000 in the U.S. but have struggled over here. Their first UK release may change matters. An accomplished mix of funk, folk and psychedelic rock, it is illuminated by virtuoso musicianship and some sumptuous harmonies. Josaphine and Never Or Now are roots-rock ballads worthy of the Chili Peppers.

★★★✩✩

ERWIN SCHROTT

Arias (Sony 88691 97116 2)


Handsome Uruguayan bass-baritone Schrott has starred in the gossip columns in recent years, but he really can sing. His supple, athletic voice is heard to advantage in music for the usual bass melange of devils, villains, braggarts and tyrants, with the Vienna Radio SO under Daniele Rustioni. I especially enjoy the scenes from two early Verdi operas, I Lombardi and Attila, where Schrott sings the exciting cabalettas as well as the arias. Both go with a swing. He is a fine Toreador in Carmen, sings Gounod’s and Boito’s versions of Faust, does Don Quixote’s death scene affectingly and makes a sinister police chief in Tosca. Schrott’s Hispanic roots are reflected in the famous aria from Gomes’s Salvator Rosa and two numbers from a 1936 zarzuela by Basque composer Sorozabal. Good recordings.

★★★★✩